On June 21st the man affectionately known as Dazzingly Darren, Hartley Wintney FC hero and long-time fan, announced his intent to once again get out in the world and raise some cash for his beloved village club.
The GoFundMe page of Darren reads as follows;
“I am raising money for Hartley Wintney football club by doing a sponsored climb and cycle from Blackpool to St Andrews golf course in Scotland. My initial plan was to climb Snowdon in Wales before cycling to St Andrews via a climb of Scafell Pike, but as Snowdon is currently closed I’ve had to change it. 1st I will cycle from Blackpool to Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain in the English Lake District, and climb that, then up to Scotland’s highest mountain Ben Nevis and finishing by cycling to the world-famous St Andrews golf course. In total, around 450 miles of cycling and climbing in 8 days starting on Saturday 4th July. I am raising money for Hartley Witney football club because the impact of coronavirus has had a big financial impact on the club with there being no football matches and the bar being closed for months on end. Please give what you can in order to help this great little village club.”
At the time of writing this, he’s reached £390 of his £1,500 target, the club couldn’t be prouder to have intrepid and committed fans such as Darren. The clubhouse is now open for live televised football and the Row are planning for next season and looking forward to the day they can welcome back readers through the ticket gates. Until then, there is always the clubhouse and of course the weekly ‘100 club’ where raffle ticket holders get a chance at the £100 jackpot, any chance to support your local club is much appreciated at this current time. One prize winner donated it back to the club stating “the club’s need is greater than mine”; as former commentator Andy Gray would have said in thick Scottish tone ‘Take a bow son, take a bow Colin Charlton’. The wonderful committed fans of Hartley Wintney FC and the supportive community that surrounds the club is reassuring now more than ever.
The adventure may be over but the target hasn’t yet been met and any further donations can be made via Darren’s GoFundMe page.